By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the recent defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as a calculated and pre-arranged political move rather than a reaction to internal challenges within the party.
The party further disclosed that Obi recieved a lot of juicy concessions from the party including appointing National Organising Secretary (NoS) who plays a strategic role in organising party events including elections adding that his exit has nothing to do with the litigations the party is going through.
Speaking during an interview on a prime-time television programme on Monday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development did not come as a surprise to the party leadership, insisting that events leading up to the exit pointed to a long-standing plan.
According to Abdullahi, the ADC remains a structured political platform with a clear ideological direction, but noted that some political actors attempted to use it as a temporary vehicle to advance personal ambitions.
“We have resisted every challenge thrown at us and remained committed to building a credible alternative for Nigerians. But it became evident that some individuals were not aligned with that long-term vision,” he said.
He recalled that Obi had previously emphasised the need for opposition unity, warning that multiple candidates could split votes and benefit incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“Peter Obi himself once said presenting more than one candidate against the president would hand him victory. So, the question is, what changed?” Abdullahi asked.
Dismissing claims that legal uncertainties influenced the defections, the ADC spokesman described ongoing court cases involving the party as “minor” and insufficient to justify such a move.
He further revealed that Obi had been granted significant concessions within the party, including nominating the National Organising Secretary, a key operational position responsible for coordinating congresses and elections.
“No other aspirant was given that level of consideration. The claim that the party was biased simply does not hold,” Abdullahi said.
The spokesperson also pointed to a meeting held in Kano involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and Seriake Dickson as a possible turning point, suggesting that discussions at the meeting may have influenced the decision to exit the party.
“That meeting raised serious questions. It suggested that there were broader political calculations at play, possibly aimed at reshaping the opposition landscape ahead of 2027,” he added.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of individuals to join any political platform, Abdullahi urged politicians to be transparent about their motives.
“People are free to leave, but they should not give flimsy excuses. Nigerians deserve honesty about the real reasons behind such decisions,” he said.
The ADC maintained that despite the defections, it remains focused on consolidating its structure and presenting a viable alternative to Nigerians in the next general elections.
